Wittman: "No excuse" for Pacers loss

Submitted by Anonymous (not verified) on Mon, 2012-11-19 23:11

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Thrown right into the fire, point guard Shawn Livingston has responded in his return stint with the Wizards. Signed by Washington just five days ago, Livingston played all of the fourth quarter Monday night in the 96-89 loss to Indiana at Verizon Center, helping the Wizards claw back from yet another double-digit deficit -- only to see them fall short yet again.

The 6'-7" Livingston smoothly ran the offense, finishing with 10 points and dishing out 4 assists in 24 minutes of play against the Pacers. Livingston scored 8 points in the second half, engineering the comeback that ultimately resulted in the Wizards’ season-opening ninth straight loss.

Livingston, who played for the Wizards two seasons ago, gives the team a different look offensively, with his ability to post up smaller guards and shoot over them or kick out when he draws a double team. Livingston did just that in the rally against the Pacers. After getting doubled on the block he found a wide open Bradley Beal for a three-pointer to cut the lead to 82-77 and, on the next possession, Livingston hit a short jumper in the lane to close the gap to 82-79.

Livingston is doing his best to make it tough for coach Randy Wittman not to start him over the much smaller A.J. Price, who struggled yet again in the Indiana game. With John Wall out at least a few more weeks with a knee injury, Livingston could position himself to be get considerable minutes the rest of the season.

Livingston played for the Bucks last season, averaging 7 points and 2 assists in 22 starts and was a final cut in Houston’s camp this fall. He is getting another shot with the Wizards and right now, even though its's very early, he's making the most of it.